Generali Open Kitzbühel 2021: will Casper Ruud manage the hat trick in the Betway Match of the Day?
Casper Ruud wants to win his third title within three weeks at the Generali Open. The final opponent in Kitzbühel in the Betway Match of the Day isPedro Martinez from Spain from 4.30 p.m. live on ServusTV).
by tennisnet.com
last edit: Jul 31, 2021, 07:39 am
Three finals within three weeks, Daniil Medvedev last achieved that on the ATP tour. The Russian reached the finals in Washington, Montreal and Cincinnati in a row in the summer of 2019 (and also the one in the next tournament he took part in: the US Open), while Medvedev was able to win the latter. In the search for a player who has won as many titles within three weeks, you have to go back a little further: Andy Murray achieved this in 2011 in Bangkok, Tokyo and Shanghai.
Medvedev has to a certain extent caught up with Casper Ruud, Murray is still missing a success on Saturday in the final in Kitzbühel. Of course: Daniil Medvedev's series extended over a 500 and two Masters 1000 tournaments, almost ten years ago Murray went through the categories 250, 500 and 1000 one after the other. Ruud “only” completed the smallest category, both Bastad and Gstaad and the Generali Open feel comfortable in the 250 niche.
Ruud won't underestimate Martinez
The Norwegian’s achievements are nevertheless highly remarkable. Because nothing happened to him in Kitzbühel in the last few days. Even the start against Mario Vilella Martinez turned into a marathon, which dragged on into the late evening due to unfavorable weather conditions. Against Mikael Ymer, whom he has always had under control, Casper Ruud had to fend off a match point and won in three sets. And the weather didn't play along against Arthur Rinderknech in the semi-finals on Friday either.
At least in this respect, the final opponent Pedro Martinez had it easier, on the other hand, after his exhausting three-set win against Daniel Altmaier, the Spaniard also had to play in doubles, where he lost with Marc Polmans in the champions tiebreak (a win would have the schedule on Saturday, by the way upside down). Ruud will of course not underestimate his opponent, who will contest the first final at the ATP Tour level. Because on Martinez's hit list in Kitzbühel, Lucas Pouille and Roberto Bautista Agut are two big names. Excitement in the Betway Match of the Day is guaranteed.
Here the single tableau in Kitzbühel
kitzmap